Ernest Shonekan, ex-interim President and chairman of UAC, which controlled colonial Nigeria, dies at 85
Ernest Shonekan, the industrialist who served as Nigeria’s interim President following the annulment of June 12 1993, Presidential election, has died at the age of 85.
Neusroom gathered that he died at Evercare Hospital in Lagos but could not immediately confirm the cause of his death.
Shonekan, Nigeria’s shortest-serving President, was head of the interim government installed by General Ibrahim Babangida, between August 12, 1993, and November 17, 1993, before General Sani Abacha toppled his administration.
Born on May 9, 1936, in Lagos, he attended CMS Grammar School and Igbobi College before attending the University of London, where he got a law degree. He also attended Harvard Business school.
Shonekan joined the United African Company of Nigeria in 1964, a subsidiary of the United African Company. He rose to become assistant legal adviser, deputy adviser and later joined the board of directors in 1976, aged 40. He was made chairman and managing director in 1980.
UAC, formed in 1879, was instrumental to colonial rule in Nigeria. It allowed the British to control the lower Niger against the Germans. The UAC-controlled territories became the Southern Nigeria Protectorate, eventually united with the Northern Protectorate to form Nigeria in 1914.
Shonekan was made head of the transitional council by General Ibrahim Babangida, which was supposed to be the final phase leading to a scheduled handover of government to an elected leader. Following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, he was made interim President before Abacha toppled his administration.
